Sinking Creek Baptist Church is named for a tributary of the Watauga River. It is located on the Old Elizabethton to Johnson City Highway in Carter County. It is the oldest church of any faith in the state of Tennessee still in existence at its original location. It was organinzed 1772 in Washington County (now Carter County). 

Matthew Talbot was the first pastor. Worship services have continued through the years except during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. In 1778 evangelists Charles and John Chastain, brothers from Virginia, held a revival here and the need for a larger church was realized. Pastor Talbot, Joshua Kelly, and a Mr. Maulkey planned and erected what is now known as the "Old Log Church" that still stands today with many of its' original logs intact.

Worship and an occasional wedding is held there mostly in the summer months. Because of its' legendary past it is now a historical landmark. It shares the same grounds with the new church built in 1962. Rev. Reece Harris is the current pastor to the congregation at Sinking Creek.  He has faithfully served as pastor since 1961.